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diss t^O^i^-l 



I'UKSKNTKI) l!Y 



A LETTER OF MARQUIS 
DE LA FAYETTE, 1781 



REPRINTED FROM THE 



VOL. VIII NO. I OCTOBER 1902 



[Reprinted from The American Historical Review, Vol. VIII., No. i, Oct., 1902.] 



J. A Letter of Marquis dc La Fayette, ijSf. 

The following letter has been kindly .sent by Dr. F'rederick 
Tuckerman of Amherst, Massachusetts. llie original is in the 
possession of Mr. Marvin M. Taylor of Worcester, Massachusetts, 
whose wife was a lineal descendant of Dr. Samuel Cooper, to whom 
the letter was written. A short sketch of the life of Dr. Cooper 
will be found in Vol. VI. of the Review, pp. 301-303. 

Camp New York Virginia 26th October, 1781. 
My Dear Friend 

The Glorious, and important success, we have obtained \f'\\\ afford 
joy to every true American, and I heartily congratulate you upon an 
event, that has such an immense influence in our Affairs — Nothing but 
the great distance I was from you has prevented my writing more fre- 

' Seethe previous letter, where Richdrd declares that he ha.s not yet heard from Monk. 

- Committee appointed May l6th {C. J., VII. 655 ). Pickering and St. John reported 
May 25, presenting Richard's abdication, which had been signed some time earlier 
( [hid., 6^4-)- Tlie votes referred to were probably those of the i6th. 



90 Documents 

quently than I have done — but there was such a danger of letters being 
lost or intercepted, that it spoiled in great measure the pleasure of a 
friendly correspondence. The storm that had been gathered against this 
small Army gave us great deal of trouble to maintain the Vessel afloat. 
Nothing but the bravery, fortitude zeal and discipline of our regular 
force, the patriotism, and patience of our militia, could have saved us 
from ruin, and extricated us from our innumerable difficulties — at last, it 
became possible to recover the ground we had lost and from post, to 
post, the enemy took the very one which could the best suit our purposes. 

The combination of Means, which from so different and so distant 
points were timely collected in this Bay have insured us a success so bril- 
liant in itself so great in its consequences that it must add a new glory 
to Genl Washingtons name and become a new tie of confidence and 
affection between the two Nations. 

Virginia had been the place pointed out by the British Ministry. 
Virginia was the object of this Campaign, and the thunders of Britain 
were in the hands of a Man whose great and well supported character, 
ranks him among the Heroes of England, and places him far above any 
General they have hitherto sent to America. What will be the feelings 
of that proud Nation when they hear that their best General, their best 
Officers, the remainder of i8 of their best Corps amounting to 7050 men 
exclusive of Seamen, and a great number of vessels have surrendered to 
an .\rmy et]ual to that which made the boasted Siege of Charlestovvn where 
less than two thousand men, after forty five days of oppressed marches 
were with difficulty persuaded to accept of conditions which after eleven 
days have been imposed upon Lord Cornwallis's Army. It is true 
there has been less gallantry on the part of the British, and less sense on 
the part of their General displayed in the Siege of Charlestown than in 
any Siege that ever was made — But however our garrison of Charles- 
town was j)aid a very great Compliment to when after so short a space 
Lord Cornwallis accepted the same terms I am far from reflecting on 
that General whose talents 1 greatly admire and whose lessons I have 
been proud to take in the course of this campaign, but cannot help 
observing that Sir Henry Clinton's repeated blunders have thrown the 
Gallant Cornwallis in this disagreeable situation, and that no Man has 
ever helped me so well to deceive Lord Cornwallis dangerous positions — 
as the Commander in Chief of the British Army. 

The operations of the Seige will be so fully related to you that it is 
needless for me to enter into details I shall only observe to my friend 
that never my feelings have been so delightfully gratified as they were 
on the 14th in the evening, when the American light infantry in 
sight of the Armies of France America and England gallantry stormed a 
redoubt Sword in hand, and proved themselves equal in this business to 
the Grenadiers of the best troops in Europe. I long a go knew what 
dependance was to be put on them, an>d was so sure of success, that not 
a gun had been loaded — but to see this little afair transacted under the 
eyes of Foreign Armies, gave me Unspeakable Satisfaction. 

^, 

1 3 '04 



A Letter of Alexander H. Stephens, 18^4 9 1 

My present wish (entre Nous) is to go round with the fleet to the 
Southward- — how far I will be able to effect this purpose is not yet deter- 
mined, at all events I will be in Philadelphia in the course of the 
Winter— and should the Armies remain quiet should Congress think I 
may serve them in Europe, 1 shall be happy to cross, and recross the 
^■\tlantic in the space Of a few months provided 1 see my going there 
may be materialy serviceable — that is, my dear Sir, the present plan 1 
have in view, and whatever may be the wishes of Congress, nothing on 
my part will be neglected to render them my services. At all events I 
shall endeavor to pay a visit to my Friends in Boston — the attachment, 
and partiality I feel for that Capital can not be sufficiently expressed — 1 
set such a value by the esteem of your Countrymen that it will ever ani- 
mate me under every difficulty I may encounter, their reception on my 
return from France, and the many favors I have received from the people 
at large, and from individuals in particular, shall ever be precious to my 
heart. 

. Mr. Cooper is returning to Boston, and hopes to be exchanged. I 
.am very desirous to see every particular respecting Halifax Newfound- 
land and Penobscot — I request you will take some pains on this head — 
and send the accounts to me at Philadelphia under cover of the Massa- 
chusetts Delegates. It is very well worth sending an express on purpose 
and I would wish to know what Expedition you think might (for next 
campaign) become most agreeable to your State — 

Present my best compliments to the Govenor and his Lady, Mr. 
Baudouin Mr. Cushing and all our friends — remember me most affec- 
tionately to your family and believe me 

. Yours for ever 

Lafayetje. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




